TLP: Dr. Don Bergman, Nido de Aguilas

TLP: Dr. Don Bergman, Nido de Aguilas

by | Aug 20, 2012 | The Leadership Project, TLP EARCOS

One of the benefits of working in education is the opportunity to work near artists everyday.  Whether in the ELC or the upper school, it seems like most schools are always filled with student art.  For an art novice like myself, it’s hard to describe what makes a piece of art great; it just is.  Although I have little artistic ability myself, I can relate with the process of creation that drives an artist. It may not feel like it all the time but in many ways administrators are like artists with schools as their canvas.  I spoke with Dr. Don Bergman, Head of School at Nido de Aguilas in Santiago, Chile, who used this analogy to describe his work in schools. Like great artists, great administrators often get that way through experience, something Dr. Bergman has no shortage of.  Dr. Bergman has worked in some of the best schools in international education including Cairo American College, Jakarta International School, Singapore American School, and International School of Manila, among others.  When asked how he knew what to add or subtract to the school’s canvas at Nido he explained,” I don’t think it’s a unique talent, it’s more a combination of experience and having kind of a gut feeling about what building blocks are necessary to help that occur in very diverse setting.” Although I think he’s right in describing the value of experience, I argue that having that “gut feeling” is often what separates the good artists/administrators from the great ones. (If not specifically quoted, Dr. Bergman’s responses to these questions have been paraphrased) You’ve worked continuously overseas for...
TLP: Tim Carr, Jakarta International School

TLP: Tim Carr, Jakarta International School

by | May 19, 2012 | The Leadership Project, TLP EARCOS

It says something interesting about Tim Carr’s personality that he describes his arrival at Jakarta International School as a homecoming.  What’s interesting is Mr. Carr has never lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, or SE Asia before accepting the role of Head of School at JIS.  The homecoming that he’s referring to is less tangible, but more of spirit and connection with the developing world that was lacking at his last position at ASIJ in Tokyo.  It’s clear that the energy and vibrancy of Indonesian culture has connected with Mr. Carr as he sets out on his journey, which has already included the creation of a new and exciting school wide vision that connects to this spirit. (If not specifically quoted, Mr. Carr’s responses to these questions have been paraphrased) You’re relatively young for your position, what convinced you to go into leadership at a young age? My father was in education so I think some of my interests in schools and students come from there.  “I was often drawn towards how schools worked, and I’ve always been fascinated with schools as an organism.” Early in our careers, my wife and I decided to take the step into international teaching, and “I decided at a relatively young age to walk through doors [to leadership] that were opened, even if I wasn’t qualified to do it.”  In fact a lot of my opportunities have come from people who trusted me to do things I didn’t know how to do, but was willing to try. What or who has been most fundamental in your development? “Learning…that’s the main thing…I can’t imagine conjuring a...